Support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them weather the Covid-19 storm, urged Penang trade, industry and entrepreneurial development committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain.
Speaking at the launch of the Buy Malaysian-Made Products campaign at Sunshine Square in Bayan Baru, he said many of them were badly affected by lockdowns and new norms resulting from the global pandemic.
“Covid-19 hasn’t just impacted our daily lives but also the trade, wholesale and retail sectors.
Many are struggling to sustain their businesses.
“While the government is running many initiatives at state and national level to help these SMEs increase their revenue, the public can also help by buying their products, ” Abdul Halim said.
He was joined by Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Hwang Thean Long, CEO Cynthia Hwang and senior store manager Mohamad Redzuan Lim Abdullah in checking out the campaign’s featured products.
The 40 different items include coffee, crackers, biscuits, honey, peanut butter, ice cream, rice, hand sanitiser, curry pastes, beverages and sauces.
The items come from 30 participating vendors and merchants. Among them, 14 are bumiputera.
The event is held at Sunshine Square’s New Wing Promotions Area.
Shoppers who spend RM50 or more on these items will enjoy an instant cash rebate of RM10. There are sales personnel present to offer samples and information.
Mohamad Redzuan said Sunshine wanted to support the state government’s efforts in helping local SMEs to increase their brand recognition among the public.
“We’ve always supported and prioritised Malaysian-made products.
“After all, Sunshine also started as an SME and grew into one of Penang’s most prominent supermarket and departmental stores.
“This year marks 60 years of Sunshine serving customers in the state. We’re proud of our motto – By Malaysians, For Malaysians, ” he said during the recent opening ceremony of the campaign.
The products are also available via the Sunshine Online store (www.sunshineonline.com.my).
Abdul Halim added, “I hope campaigns like this can help local SMEs generate sales, especially with the year-end holiday season. This in turn will help the state’s economy bounce back.”
Pointing to figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, he said the value of wholesale and retail trade stood at RM108.7bil as of July 2020. This is a drop of 3.5% compared to the same period last year.
However, there are some signs of recovery with the volume of sales at 127.7 points or growth of -3.9% as of June 2020 compared to -8.9% for the same period last year.
Abdul Halim believes the reduction in negative rate points to a growing trend of online marketing, which is vital in the current climate.
The Buy Malaysian-Made Products campaign ends this Sunday.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2020/12/29/buy-local-goods-to-support-smes